Mississippi lawmakers consider stouter 8% beer

JACKSON — Beer sold in Mississippi may be getting a little stronger.

Beer produced in brew pubs — pubs where beer is brewed on site, and there’s only one in the state — would be sold with a higher concentration of alcohol than traditional beer if the Senate agrees with legislation House members approved Thursday.

Traditional brewers, such as Anheuser-Busch and MillerCoors, also could raise the alcohol content of their beer sold in the state to 8 percent, according to the House bill.

Current state law says beer sold in Mississippi can be no stronger than a 5 percent alcohol content by weight.

Legislation that House members approved on a 67-45 vote would allow the stronger beer to be brewed and sold in the state. The legislation also would allow the sale of light wines with an alcohol content of no greater than 8 percent.

Should the Senate go along with the House action, and the bill is signed into law by Gov. Phil Bryant, Mississippi would no longer be the only state that bars the stronger beer from being brewed or sold.

State law also prohibits home breweries.

House debate on the legislation was brief but lively.

Opponents of the bill said raising the potency levels could lead to more alcohol-related accidents, but neither side could produce data to confirm or rebut the claims.

Supporters said the legislation could lead to greater alcohol sales, and thus higher tax collections for the state.

“If you’re Baptist and can’t stand this bill, then hold your nose and vote for it,” said Rep. Steve Holland, D-Plantersville. “We’re talking about specialty beers that every other state has. We’re the last state in the union to have this.”